lutz logo
lutz logo
  • Services
  • News & Insights
  • About
  • Client Portal
Search
  • Services
  • Accounting
  • Advisory
  • Financial
  • M&A
  • Talent
  • Tech
  • Accounting Services
Services
  • Audit & Assurance
  • Client Advisory Services
  • Outsourced Accounting
  • Tax
  • Business Valuation
  • Litigation Support & Forensic
View All
Industries
  • Agribusiness
  • Construction
  • Family Office
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing & Distribution
  • Nonprofit
View All
News & Insights
Estate Planning Guide
Guide
Estate Planning Guide

Protect what matters. Our Estate Planning Guide provides a thorough overview of the documents and strategies needed to secure your financial legacy.

Read More
  • Advisory Services
Services
  • Accounting
  • Financial
  • M&A
  • Talent
  • Tech
View All
Resources
The Art of Budgeting
Recording
The Art of Budgeting + Smart Saving Strategies
Learn how to get your finances under control and increase your savings! Hear real-life examples and best practices to secure a successful future.
Watch Now
Business Insights
Comparing Business Valuation Methods
Blog
Comparing Business Valuation Methods: Which is Right for You?
Valuation experts rely on three primary approaches to determine the value of a business: income approach, asset approach, and market approach.
Read More
  • Financial Services
Services
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Advisory
  • Retirement Plan Services
  • Pooled Employer 401(k) Plan
View All
Resources
  • Lutz Financial Blog
  • Our Team
  • Client Portal
  • Charles Schwab Login
  • Send Files Securely
Contact Us
NEWS & INSIGHTS
Website Featured Content Images
Market Commentary
Financial Market Updates

Read our latest financial market updates and sign up to receive them straight to your inbox.

Read More
  • M&A Services
Services
  • Transaction Advisory
  • Business Valuation
  • Succession Planning
View All
Resources
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Blog
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Benefits & Best Practices

Understanding how ESOPs work and whether your organization is a good fit is critical to determining if this exit plan aligns with your goals.

Read More
Business Insights
Red Flags & Deal Accelerators in Financial Due Diligence
Webinar Recording
Red Flags & Deal Accelerators in Financial Due Diligence
When it comes to buying or selling a business, financial due diligence can uncover both warning signs and opportunities that significantly impact value.
Read More
  • Talent Services
Services
  • Search & Staffing
  • Outsourced HR
  • HR Consulting
View All
Candidate Resources
  • Job Seeker Process
  • Current Opportunities
  • Lutz Internships
Contact Us
News & Insights
HR Solutions for Employee Experience
Blog
HR Solutions That Elevate the Employee Experience
For growing businesses, the phrase “employee experience” often gets reduced to surface-level perks, but the true meaning goes much deeper.
Read More
  • Tech Services
Services
  • Outsourced IT
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Transformation
View All
Resources
Microsoft Copilot Explained
Blog
Microsoft 365 Series: Copilot Explained - Your New AI Assistant

For organizations using Microsoft 365, Copilot is quickly becoming one of the most impactful tools for AI in the workplace.

Read More
Business Insights
Untitled design (1)-Mar-08-2024-08-50-35-9527-PM
Video
Pella Client Testimonial
"I've used them for valuation work, stock transfers, hosting all of my technology, and now data analytics. I'd say they lead the pack in terms of anticipating what I'm going to need before I even know I need it."
View Now
Business Insights
BLOG
Explore Topics

Get the latest news and insights on relevant topics that matter most to you.

View All
Webinars & Events
Events
Register Today

Register for an upcoming event or access our library of on-demand recordings.

View All
Market Updates
COMMENTARY
Stay Informed

Catch up on market moves with our weekly update, featuring in-depth insights and analysis.

View All
Resources
EBOOKS & GUIDES
Download Now

Take a deep dive into challenging business topics with these free educational resources. 

View All
  • News & Insights
  • Business Insights
  • Webinars & Events
  • Market Updates
  • Resources
Business Insights
BLOG
Explore Topics

Get the latest news and insights on relevant topics that matter most to you.

View All
  • About
About

Lutz is a business solutions firm for people seeking a partner to help energize and heighten economic and organizational success.

Our Company
Our Team
Offices
Careers
Internships
Contact Us
  • Contact
Client Portal

Log in to your relevant client portal to access your account, upload documents, or make a payment.

Make a Payment
Accounting Client Portal
Financial Client Portal
Charles Schwab Login
Send Files Securely
QuickBooks Support
Contact Us
  • Tech

Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Purchasing IT

Scott Kroeger, Lutz Tech Shareholder
January 8, 2016
Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Purchasing IT
Growing businesses often need new computing tools to create efficiencies, provide better customer service and handle growing demand. As a business owner, it’s hard to understand the do’s and don’ts of buying Information Technology infrastructure – that’s why you need expert advice from IT professionals. To get you started, here are my 5 tips for avoiding mistakes that could leave you saddled with the wrong IT equipment that doesn’t meet your needs.

1. IT is not DIY

Having IT professionals handle your needs is much better than flying solo. Many business people treat buying IT equipment like picking out furniture and then waiting for the delivery truck to arrive. Business people with a do-it-yourself attitude will make a lot of mistakes. For example, they’ll buy a home version of Windows that’s not compatible with their domain. Or a business owner will run the cabling himself, not realizing there’s much more required than plugging in cables and flipping switches. Buying commercial-grade systems will be more expensive, but they are stronger, better, warrantied and longer lasting than systems built for individual use. In short, spend money on the right equipment based upon professional advice.

2. IT installations are a process, not an event

Some business owners think they can write a check for IT services, have a team come out one day to install, throw a training manual at employees and then call it a day. While technology creates efficiencies, there is never one magical solution that cures all issues. Systems need to work together, so you need to set expectations to match reality that this won’t occur overnight. Be sure to invest the needed time and brain power to get things done right. It’s like surgery: sometimes it’s major and sometimes it’s minor, and your hospital stay might not be pleasant. But once it’s over, you are much better off for it.

3. The latest and greatest isn’t necessarily the latest and greatest – for you

As a dutiful company representative, an IT professional will try to sell you the latest leading-edge technology. That might be good for the IT company, but that might not be the best solution for your needs. Think, for example, of your legacy software that works perfectly now. If you upgrade to Windows 10, for example, that program might no longer operate well or at all. Unless an analysis proves that it’s the right solution for you, don’t be on the leading edge. Make sure you’re buying tried-and-true technology that fulfills your business needs, not an IT professional’s interests or bottom line.

4. Don’t just invest in new software; invest in your employees’ support and training

Sure, your team is whip-smart. But that doesn’t mean they can learn new software on their own. Technology is a personnel issue, because people use technology. If employees don’t understand how to use it or – worse – don’t buy into what you want to accomplish, that will kill the value of technology more quickly than anything. Don’t skimp on training and explaining why a new system is being implemented. It’s just as important as the system’s proper technical implementation.

5. Create a budget and build a trusted relationship with an IT adviser

As with other aspects of your business, set an IT budget that maximizes your ROI. A blended information technology/business consultant firm is a great way to bridge the gap between your computing and business needs. By building a trusted advisory relationship with such a provider, they will be honest about when you do and don’t need to invest money. IT solutions often are packaged with pay-as-you-go pricing, which will help you avoid a large upfront investment. But if you quickly implement too many different technologies without factoring in recurring costs, you can bust your IT budget before you have created a proper technology platform.
  • Ideation, Strategic, Individualization, Relator, Arranger

Scott Kroeger

Lutz Tech Shareholder

Scott Kroeger, Lutz Tech Shareholder, began his career in 1998. Since joining Lutz in 2011, he has played a foundational role in growing Lutz Tech—leading the acquisition and integration of two MSPs and expanding the division from 13 to more than 70 team members. His leadership extends across the firm, having served over a decade on the Lutz Board of Directors, eight years on the Lutz Financial Board, and twelve years as the Lutz Tech Department Head. 

Championing Lutz Tech’s service strategy, Scott focuses on executive leadership, business development, operations, and client relationships. He values collaborating with the team and delivering peace of mind to clients through reliable IT solutions that help their businesses thrive. His background across software and services industries gives him a broad perspective, and he is passionate about building scalable, practical technology strategies. 

 

At Lutz, Scott makes the complex simple by translating business needs into smart, results-driven solutions. His ability to build meaningful relationships and arrange resources efficiently has been pivotal in the substantial growth of the firm's technology practice. Scott consistently strives to develop strategic solutions that advance the firm's technological capabilities. 

 

Scott lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife, Wendi, and their four children—Kelly, Chase, Leo, and Emmy—along with their two dogs, Nicky and CeCe. Outside the office, you can find him golfing or enjoying the outdoors. 

402.827.2304

skroeger@lutz.us

Connect on LinkedIn

Recent News & Insights

Recent News
Lutz adds Experienced Director Drew Guill
Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, recently added Drew Guill as an Audit Director ...
Read More
Recent News
Lutz Announces Redemption of Mark Duren’s Shares
Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, announces the redemption of shares held by ...
Read More
QuickBooks
QuickBooks Online Checklist
Is QuickBooks Online right for you? QuickBooks Online can help you better manage your business ...
Read More
Accounting
What You Need to Know About the IRS’s CP53E Notices
The IRS has begun issuing CP53E Notices following a recent executive order directing federal ...
Read More
module-bg-desktop module-bg-mobile

Let’s get you where you want to go.

We work to simplify complexities, help make critical business decisions, and confidently focus on the things that are truly important to you. We embrace your business as our own to spark the right solutions and help you thrive.
Contact Us
Lutz-Logo-white
  • Services
    • Accounting
    • Consulting
    • Financial
    • M&A
    • Talent
    • Tech
  • About
    • Our Company
    • Our Team
    • Offices
    • Careers
    • Internships
    • Current Opportunities
  • Client Portal
    • Make a Payment
    • Accounting Client Portal
    • Financial Client Portal
    • Send Files Securely
    Submit RFP
TOLL-FREE: 866.577.0780 | © Lutz & company, PC 2026 | Privacy Policy
Follow us on LinkedIn Twitter - X Logo Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook